This dissertation examines the relationship between martyrdom and divine retribution against the martyr's persecutors in the book of Revelation. The argument is made that Revelation portrays martyrdom as an impetus of Divine retribution against the persecutors of the martyrs. Chapter 1 traces the trend in recent scholarship to view Revelation's portrayal of martyrdom as contributing to the conversion of the nations. Basic assumptions of this view are discussed, as well as some replies from traditionalists. Chapter 2 discusses the methodology and sources used to defend the thesis. A discussion of intertextuality in the book of Revelation leads to the conclusion that the Old Testament, and particularly the prophetic tradition of Israel, is the primary background. The genre analysis leads the author to adopt a modified idealist approach to the symbolism of the book. Chapter 3 argues that martyrdom is the confirmation of the saints' testimony against the persecutors of the church. It is argued that the concept of witness is drawn from the background of God's legal contest with the nations in the Old Testament prophets. The climax of the witnesses' testimony is their martyrdom. Chapter 4 argues that martyrdom determines the sentence against the persecutors based on the lex talionis. The persecutors of the church seal their own fate by striking down God's faithful witnesses. The evil of persecution that leads to martyrdom is exacerbated by the identification of Christ with his witnesses. The vindication of the martyrs is also the vindication of their witness to Christ. This dissertation contends that Revelation's theology of martyrdom should not be conformed to Paul's theology of suffering, but should be understood as a complement to it. John's encouragement is not that the blood of the martyrs is seed, but that the blood of the martyrs is precious to Christ, who will avenge it in God's time. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

M.A. (Greek) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This dissertation argues that Book IV of the canonical Hebrew Psalter (Pss 90–106) sustains the hope that God will keep his covenant with David by installing a future king from David’s line. Chapter 1 introduces the debate, states the thesis, surveys the history of psalmic interpretation, and summarizes recent canonical views that see David either diminished or sustained in Book IV. Chapter 2 presents an eclectic canonical methodology that honors the five-book division, accounts for superscriptions, incipits, and closings, senses a broad narrative progression, acknowledges psalmic collections, recognizes lexical, thematic, and structural resonance beween psalms, and considers inner-biblical allusions. Chapter 3 explores the covenantal contradiction in Psalm 89 and proposes that Psalm 90 continues and complements the lament in Psalm 89 which questioned the character and reign of God due to the fallen Davidic throne and the severed Davidic line. Chapter 4 analyzes Psalms 90–92 and argues that a reimagined Moses enters Book IV to intercede for Israel (90) in response to the unfulfilled Davidic covenant in Psalm 89. Psalms 90–92 then allude to Deuteronomy 32–33 and progress from pained petition (90) to promised protection (91) to restored rejoicing (92). Chapter 5 explores the message and function of Psalm 101 and argues that its intra-book links, Davidic title, royal voice, lamenting tone, future orientation, inter-psalm allusions, and strategic placement make it a central psalm sustaining Davidic hope in Book IV. Chapter 6 explores the lexical and thematic resonance among Psalms 90, 102, and 103 and argues that the afflicted Davidide in Psalm 102 applies and echoes the plaintive prayer of Moses in Psalm 90 and that the Davidic praise in Psalm 103 answers both Psalms 90 and 102. Thus David is forgiven and restored along with the people in Psalm 103. Chapter 7 concludes by reviewing the evidence from each chapter and proposing that the overall structure and message of Book IV sustains the hope that God will keep his covenant with David.

林豔. / 論文(哲學博士)--香港中文大學, 2007. / 參考文獻(p. 170-191). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Lun wen (zhe xue bo shi)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 2007. / Can kao wen xian (p. 170-191). / Lin Yan.

楊硯. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 220-244). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in Chinese and English. / Yang Yan.

All in all, the death of Jesus is presented as mysteriously God-willed. Likewise, the scenario of failed discipleship together with the eventual nurturing of genuine discipleship out of the Passion is also presented as mysteriously incomprehensible to the disciples. Yet, the cosmic struggle between God/Jesus/the Spirit and Satan/the satanic forces including the antagonistic religious authorities, the death of Jesus together with the predicted death of his disciples, and the eventual overcoming of failed discipleship are portrayed in the Markan story as part and parcel of the in-coming of the Kingdom of God, that Jesus proclaimed and he himself acted it out. / In sum, the aim of the present thesis is to lay bare that the themes of death and discipleship are inextricably bound to one another in Mark's story-telling and unfolding of Jesus and discipleship. A new and more compassionate understanding of the intertwined themes of death and discipleship is offered to explain the failed discipleship as depicted in that story-telling. / The above revisit of the overall Markan story under the intertwined themes of death and discipleship will be rolled out progressively in three phases (or chapters). Namely, the Galilean ministry of Jesus, the teaching of Jesus on his way to Jerusalem regarding the Kingdom of God and its consequent implications and demands on discipleship, and lastly the trial and arrest of Jesus in Jerusalem. / This Thesis is a narrative-critical study or revisit of the Markan story in the light of the intertwined and interconnected themes of death and discipleship. It will be argued that discipleship in the Markan context is ultimately the imperative command on the disciples to die for and like Jesus. Alike Jesus who is presented as carrying out his earthly ministry in the setting of the cosmic struggle between the God/the Spirit and Satan, the disciples are to face the persecution and suffering and even death. The author of Mark has Jesus reveal that his Passion would be followed by the passion of the disciples. In Mark, genuine discipleship is attained primarily with the ability to overcome the fear of death. For it is only by doing so can the disciples really take up their crosses to die for and like Jesus. However, the reality is that all the disciples, as depicted early in the Markan narrative as fallible sinners, would and did all fail Jesus. Yet, failed discipleship, though being portrayed as inevitable, is not the dead end or cul de sac in the Markan story. In the Passion Narrative, the author of Mark does endeavor to illustrate that there is a way out. In this sense, genuine discipleship will be nurtured out of the Passion. It is under this understanding of discipleship vis-a-vis death that the failed discipleship in Mark should be evaluated and compassionately understood, as conveyed in the utterance of Jesus at Gethsemane, "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak". (Mk 14:38) / Wan, Siu Fai. / Adviser: K. C. Wong. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: A, page: 2079. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 246-259). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

This study seeks to delineate the pneumatological themes that the author of John develops to create expectation and demonstrate fulfillment of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The primary question asked in this investigation focuses on the extent to which Johannine pneumatological expectation can be said to have been fulfilled within the narrative of the Fourth Gospel. A common expression of this question has been debated in terms of the relationship of the Johannine gift on Easter in John 20:19-23 to the Lukan outpouring on Pentecost in Acts 2. In chapter 1 the three major positions on the relationship are surveyed including the Johannine Pentecost view, the Symbolic view, and the Two Gift view. Chapters 2 and 3 consist of an exegetical analysis of what are often referred to as the πνεῦμα (1:29-34; 3:5-8; 3:34; 4:4-30; 6:63; 7:37-39) and παράκλητος passages (John 14:16-17; 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-11, 12-15). This exegesis focuses on the development of pneumatological expectation regarding the themes of revelation, witness, mission, dwelling, life and empowerment and the conditions of exaltation, the coming hour, glorification, asking, and departure. In chapter 4 the texts that show how the narrative demonstrates the fulfillment of the giving of the Spirit are discussed (John 12:20-50; 13:1-4, 31-35; 17:1-5; 19:28-37; 20:1-18, 19-23, 24-29; 21). Chapter 5 explores the relationship between the Johannine themes that have been identified in the previous chapters with Lukan pneumatology. A harmonization between the Johannine and Lukan accounts of the giving of the Spirit is not only possible but preferable. In chapter 6 the results of the previous chapters are summarized. The Johannine Spirit is realized in the themes of revelation, witness, mission, dwelling, and life. An expectation of empowerment is created but not fulfilled. The Johannine and Lukan accounts of the giving of the Spirit are complementary.

This dissertation maintains that the new covenant was a significant soteriological, ecclesiological, and ethical category in Paul's theology. Using Ephesians as a test case, it analyzes the relevant texts where Paul seems to appropriate the Old Testament's promises specifically linked with the new covenant. Chapter 1 surveys and assesses various views on the significance of the new covenant to Paul, and offers a way forward in the debate. Chapter 2 surveys the new covenant in the Old Testament. Included is exegesis of the most relevant prophetic texts that point to a day when God would usher in a new covenant with his people. A summary of these texts shows a list of major themes most often associated with the new covenant. Chapter 3 analyzes the blessings of the new covenant in Ephesians 1:3-14. Themes such as election, sonship, forgiveness of sins, and the Spirit indicate the prevalence of the new covenant's promises in Pauline thought. These promises are rooted in the promises to Abraham. Chapter 4 analyzes the new covenant in Ephesians 2:11-22. Paul frames the plight, solution, and new status of the Gentiles in covenantal terms. Peace with God and one another through the death of Christ is at the center of the text and is especially rooted in the promises of Isaiah. The new status for believing Gentiles includes membership within the true people of God, who, fulfilling the covenant ideal in Christ, dwells with his people. Chapter 5 suggests that some of the ethical commands of Ephesians 4:17-5:5 find their background in the ethic of the new covenant. Speaking the truth in love and walking in love summarize the ethic of the new covenant. Included in this chapter is an excursus on the structural similarities between Deuteronomy and Ephesians, which indicates the covenantal framework of Paul's ethics. Chapter 6 summarizes the thesis by comparing the nature of the new covenant in chapter 3 with the findings of chapters 3-5. That many of the promises of the new covenant are found to be present in various texts in Ephesians suggests the prevalence of the concept to Paul as he formulated his soteriology, ecclesiology, and ethics. These conclusions are then set within the context of the broader scholarly discussion concerning Paul's view of the new covenant.

The thesis for this dissertation is that the Fourth Gospel does have a developed theology of cosmic conflict. Furthermore, warfare is evidenced in the Fourth Gospel by the author's portrayal of three primary aspects of the conflict: (1) the agents involved in the battle, both protagonists and antagonists; (2) metaphors the author employs that depict the conflict; and (3) the weapons, or the means by which the battle is fought.

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